TACKLE KEOWN

The fourth official polices the technical areas, oversees substitutions and assists the referee but they are increasingly the focal point of rage for the two benches. And for that reason, it’s time to get rid of them.

Football has a culture now where everybody appeals for every decision and the fourth official is just another person to complain to.

Every time a call goes against a team, it’s no longer just the players who harangue the referee on the pitch — the official on the touchline cops the flak as well.

Not happy: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger remonstrates with the fourth official during the 6-3 defeat to City

They have to deal with the abuse from
the bench, who can’t get to the referee. But without that man on the
touchline, things might actually be a bit calmer.

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We managed before without them, so why
can’t we go back to the old system? Someone can arrange substitutions,
but they don’t need to patrol the dug-out.

At St. James’ Park last weekend Newcastle were rightly outraged by a terrible decision when Cheick Tiote’s goal was ruled out for offside but the scenes that followed were ugly.

Complaining: Mark Noble reacts to the fourth official Howard Webb as he is substituted against City

Alan Pardew confronted Manuel
Pellegrini with some horrendous language but did with fourth official
Martin Atkinson as barrier between them. Without Atkinson there, would
he have said those things?

With no fourth offical, managers would be
left to set the standard and that would encourage more respect.

You're off: Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp was sent off earlier this season in the Champions League for complaining to a fourth official

It
seemed the mere sight of Pellegrini complaining to the official was
enough to tip Pardew over the edge, though he has apologised for his
actions this week.

But it’s not just the Premier League; it happens in Europe too where the officials are even more pedantic.

Borussia Dortmund’s manager, the usually affable Jurgen Klopp, was sent to the stands earlier this season in the Champions League after directing an outburst at the fourth official. Had he not been there, Klopp could not have vented his frustration.

Clubs can be fined for failing to control their players, so why can’t the same be true for the benches?

The fourth officials almost have to act as bouncers now, breaking up scuffles and though people might think the dug-out area could become lawless, managers must set the standard.

On the pitch, you are aware of your responsibilities and if you go too far, you know you’ll get sent off. It should be the same on the bench and the staff need to show more respect for each other.

When I was on the bench at Arsenal there was a definite code of conduct: if anything it helped to stop the manager winding up. If you overreact to something, with so many people squeezed in there, things can quickly escalate.

Although Newcastle had a legitimate complaint last weekend, they are increasing the pressure on the fourth officials to the point where it’s starting to look like a deliberate tactic.

It will be interesting to see how they get on at West Ham on Saturday, with two managers facing their old clubs. And neither Pardew nor Sam Allardyce are afraid of voicing their opinions!

It's a problem: The remonstrating is not just restricted to the Premier League and the bigger games, with Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson culpable here